Big South Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade ('13-23)

Big South Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose | Jul 9, 2023

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 16: Amari Bailey #5 of the UCLA Bruins shoots over Drew Pember #4 of the North Carolina-Asheville Bulldogs and Tajion Jones #3 of the North Carolina-Asheville Bulldogs during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 16, 2023 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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Big South Basketball Winthrop Eagles forward D.J. Burns Jr. Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports /

9. D. J. Burns

A 6’9 center from Rock Hill, South Carolina, Burns really showed his worth during his time in the Big South. In actuality, he began his college journey at Tennessee, but redshirted and never saw time for the Volunteers. He transferred instead to Winthrop in 2019 and would have three impactful seasons with the Eagles before departing for NC State last offseason.

Burns averaged 11.9 points and 4.1 rebounds in his freshman season and was immediately a major part of the frontcourt at Winthrop. He helped take the Eagles to the Big South Tournament title and would repeat the feat in his sophomore season, with 22 points against Campbell in the title game. His best numbers came during his junior year, averaging 15.0 points per game and making just under 63% of his field goal attempts, helping the Eagles to another impressive campaign.

Twice the conference’s leader in field goal percentage, Burns was named Big South Rookie of the Year for that initial season and earned Player of the Year honors as a junior. Not only was he one of the conference’s best scorers and big men, but Winthrop also went 70-21 during his three years on campus. Burns had a pretty solid season at NC State this past year and will return to the Wolfpack next season, though his story with the Big South is fully written.